PATH400 Trail Paving the Way for Buckhead

Unless you’re new to the city or have been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the growth of transportation opportunities in Atlanta. From MARTA to the Beltline, Atlantans have options for getting around and making streets and business districts safer for pedestrians. This has been a top priority for city leaders. And it’s not just happening downtown; Buckhead residents are getting ready to trade their Bentleys for bicycles, because the new PATH400 project is underway! Sitting at one of the most highly-trafficked intersections in the city at the corner of Lenox Rd and Piedmont Rd, Atlanta Tech Village members know what a challenge it can be to try to walk or bike to places in Buckhead.

The PATH400 mutli-use trail project, a joint effort between Buckhead Community Improvement District, Livable Buckhead and the PATH Foundation, will bring 5.2 miles of paved trail to Buckhead, running parallel to highway GA 400, plus making connections to existing intersecting trails, providing a safe and pleasant experience for bikers, walkers, and skaters. The first segment of the trail to be completed will go right behind the Village, extending from Old Ivy Road to Lenox Road and across to Tower Place park, and will be complete by the end of the year. Longer term, the PATH400 trail could connect to the Chastain Park Trail, and ultimately the Beltline, as well as points further north.

In comparison to other districts in Atlanta, Buckhead has fewer parks per capita than any other district in the city. And if you’ve ever considered biking the 3 miles from Lindbergh/Peachtree Hills area up to the Village, you’d think twice before taking your life in your hands on Piedmont Rd. With this new amenity, that bike ride will be a breeze. In a city known for its abundance of trees, the PATH400 trail will provide areas of quiet refuge just seconds away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Over 5,000 residents will be within a 5-minute walk from the trail, and nearly 45,000 will be within a 10-minute bike ride. And best of all, most of the land needed for the trail was already under public ownership, so the funding needed to complete the project is much lower than it would have been if all of the parcels of land had to be acquired.

Curbed Atlanta is following along and has a summary and pictures of the project as it progresses. Also be sure to check out Livable Buckhead’s website for videos and more info on the trail. Tours are offered, too. Just email info@livablebuckhead.org for more info!